Political economy of corruption: the case of tax evasion in Bangladesh

The main purpose of this article is to study the concept and aspects of tax avoidance and tax evasion, their causes, trends and effects in the European Union(EU). In recent years, the debate on international tax policy has focused on tax avoidance strategies and tax evasion. Cases of tax evasion and tax evasion have become increasingly common. These phenomena were triggered by several factors. Some of them relate to European principles such as those relating to the free movement of persons, goods and capital, which led to the diversification and complexity of trade, under conditions of imperfect legislation. Other factors are the social and economic ones generated by the onset of the economic crisis. Another set of factors that have been favorable circumstances for the development, the phenomenon of tax avoidance and tax evasion, are those related to the degree of taxation that differs from one-member country to another and different tax systems. This expansion of the phenomenon of tax avoidance and tax evasion generates negative effects on the European economy, which are making their mark on the economy. In this context, concerns have arisen at EU level to create a legislative framework to mitigate these phenomena. As these two phenomena (tax avoidance and tax evasion) cannot be completely eradicated, it is very important to find the most efficient measures to combat them. Another element specific to the European Union that generates tax evasion and tax avoidance is Value Added Tax (VAT). As with any tax, Value Added Tax presents opportunities for tax avoidance and evasion. European Union experts believe that tax avoidance and tax evasion are important factors limiting revenue mobilization. Tax evasion and tax avoidance affect us all. ese phenomena occur both within a country and within the European Union, but also globally. That is why one country cannot solve the problem alone. The European Union and the Member States must work more together and at international level to combat the problem in the country within the Union but also outside the borders of the European Union. Thus, in principle, legislators can affect the decisions of the subjects by defining the boundary between legality and illegality. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the trends and effects resulting from tax avoidance and tax evasion behavior.

This paper examined whether Tax Penalties is Effective in Combating Tax Evasion in Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive research design and data were obtained using structured questionnaire. The Ordinary Least Square Regression (OLS) and Pearson Correlation model were used to test the hypothesis. The study is hinged on two (2) theories which include deterrence theory and ability to pay theory. To accomplish the objectives of the study, a total of 52 questionnaire were administered to the selected tax officers (20) and taxpayers (32). Five-point Likert scale questionnaire and simple random techniques were used to select respondents for the study. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency and percentage. Findings show that the four-hypothesis tested were significant, Tax knowledge and Awareness effect on Tax Evasion (p = 0.0095 < 0.05); Tax Administration effect on Tax Evasion (p = 0.007 < 0.05); Auditing Capacity influence on Tax Evasion (p = 0.001 < 0.05); and Corruption of Tax Offices on Tax Evasion (r = .003, p < 0.05). These indicate that Tax knowledge and Awareness, Tax Administration, Auditing Capacity, and Corruption of Tax Offices are capable of influencing the level of tax evasion. It was revealed that tax knowledge and awareness, tax administration, and auditing capacity have significant effect in reducing tax evasion level but limited by high level of corruption in public offices. The study thus recommends among others that tax laws should be further codified, harmonized and enforcement machinery should be strengthened. The level of punishment should also be stricter and legal provisions for doing this should be clearly stated.

It is widely believed that the tax base in most developing countries has been severely eroded by legal tax avoidance and illegal tax evasion, brought about largely by poor' tax administration.1 This erosion, it is thought, has had a variety of fiscal effects: tax revenues are lost and the growth of the tax base is dampened, the progressivity implied by the statutory rate structure is not achieved, the costs of tax administration are increased, and horizontal and vertical equity suffer because the effective tax rates faced by individuals depend largely upon their success in playing the tax compliance game. It is not surprising, therefore, that virtually all fiscal reform programs in developing countries start with the promise to improve administration. Better administration is a discretionary government action that at once can lower the tax rate, increase revenues, slow capital flight, and improve the fairness of the system. Yet tax base erosion in developing countries is something about which precious little is known, and, in particular, the empirical evidence about the severity and the nature of the problem is all but nonexistent.2 Why do we know so little about the dimensions of the evasionavoidance problem? One reason is conceptual problems in measuring erosion of the tax base. For example, how does one estimate the substitution of nontaxable for taxable compensation in response to the tax structure, or the extent to which a higher marginal tax rate has induced individuals to report less of their taxable income? Another reason is the problem of comparability across countries. The many legal and

The study examines the effect of tax avoidance and tax evasion on personal income tax administration in Nigeria. Tax evasion and tax avoidance, a problem which seems to have defied solution, had been deviled the tax system right from colonial times. While some had blamed the situation on tax authorities for not living up to expectation with regards to tax administration, others attribute it to the unpatriotic attitude of tax payers. It was in this light of contending position that the researcher carryout a survey in Nigeria with particular reference to Federal Inland Revenue Service Abuja. The sample size was derived statistically using Yaro Yamani formula. The sample size consists of three hundred and five (305) employees of Federal Inland Revenue Service Abuja. The study utilizes primary and secondary data. Tables and percentages were used for the analysis. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses. The research findings disclose that enlightenment and adequate utilization of tax revenue on public goods will discourage tax avoidance and tax evasion, high tax rates encourage tax avoidance and tax evasion, personal income tax generation has not being impressive and personal income tax rates are too high. The researcher therefore concluded that there is a direct and positive relationship between tax avoidance, tax evasion, tax rates and personal income tax administration in Nigeria. Hence recommended that tax officials should be constantly trained and retrained on the job, a deliberate and more aggressive public enlightenment campaign should be embarked upon by government and the reduction in tax rates for the poor. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

The study examines the effect of tax avoidance and tax evasion on personal income tax administration in Nigeria. Tax evasion and tax avoidance, a problem which seems to have defied solution, had been deviled the tax system right from colonial times. While some had blamed the situation on tax authorities for not living up to expectation with regards to tax administration, others attribute it to the unpatriotic attitude of tax payers. It was in this light of contending position that the researcher carryout a survey in Nigeria with particular reference to Federal Inland Revenue Service Abuja. The sample size was derived statistically using Yaro Yamani formula. The sample size consists of three hundred and five (305) employees of Federal Inland Revenue Service Abuja. The study utilizes primary and secondary data. Tables and percentages were used for the analysis. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses. The research findings disclose that enlightenment and adequate utilization of tax revenue on public goods will discourage tax avoidance and tax evasion, high tax rates encourage tax avoidance and tax evasion, personal income tax generation has not being impressive and personal income tax rates are too high. The researcher therefore concluded that there is a direct and positive relationship between tax avoidance, tax evasion, tax rates and personal income tax administration in Nigeria. Hence recommended that tax officials should be constantly trained and retrained on the job, a deliberate and more aggressive public enlightenment campaign should be embarked upon by government and the reduction in tax rates for the poor.

In new democracies like Bangladesh code of conduct, the ethics and issues of conflict of interest have not been accorded a high priority for legislative and administrative reforms. To discuss the role of public administration in Bangladesh and recommends measures to be adopted to prevent corruption in public procurement. Information on global and regional in connection to procurement and corruption were retrieved from documents available mainly on electronic databases, literature survey, on websites of specialized agencies and analysis of the existing situation in Bangladesh held. In Bangladesh contract awards provide opportunities for procurement. There are reports of wide-ranging corruption, political control and pressure from trade unions in the procurement process. Public trust in the process is generally absent. The World Banks evaluation of Bangladesh concluded that the implementation of procurement process is far from satisfactory, due to the following problems, poor advertisement, short bidding periods, poor specifications, nondisclosure of selection criteria, contract awards by lottery, one-sided contract documents, negotiations with all bidders and rebidding without adequate grounds, occurrence of corruption involving donor agency are not uncommon at nationally or globally and or other levels. The interesting finding is that procurement happens to be one of the lucrative areas, where corruption of above nature, therefore, the quality of public administration must be improved and accountable, which is an integral part of good governance. Key words: Procurement, corruption, e-procurement, public policy and administration,

This study examined the effect of tax compliance costs on tax evasion by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Akwa Ibom State. Survey research design was adopted in realising the objectives of the study. The population (1,887) of the study consists of all SMEs in Akwa Ibom, from where a sample size of 330 was drawn using Taro Yamane model. 330 copies of questionnaire were administered to Accountants and owner/managers of the selected SMEs across the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State. The questionnaire was constructed on a 5-point Likert scale and was analysed using non-parametric tests such as mean, standard deviation and percentages. The questions in the questionnaire centred around tax evasion as dependent variable while independent variables were proxied as cost of registration for tax purposes; cost incurred in engaging tax professionals; complexity in the tax system; cost incurred in keeping books and accounting records for tax purposes; cost incurred in obtaining tax education information and changes in tax policy; time spent for tax purposes and cost implication of such time element. The findings of the study shows that 90% of the respondents agreed that the cost incurred by SMEs in registration for tax purposes is high and that this high costs leads to tax evasion. Also, 91% are in agreed that the complexity in the tax system is the reason why SMEs engage the services of external tax professionals to assist in tax matters and this leads to high compliance cost and the attendant tax evasion. 88% of the respondents agreed that high costs of keeping books and accounting records for tax purpose while those on obtaining information on tax policy is 94%. Also, 93% of the respondents agreed that the time spent by SMEs exclusively for tax purposes encourages tax evasion Finally, 89% of the respondents agree that the combined effect of all costs, other than tax liability, and the time spent in tax processes contributed to tax evasion by SMEs. Based on these findings it was concluded that there is a strong indication that compliance costs greatly affect tax evasion. It was recommended that Government should simplify tax policies in order to reduce compliance costs incurred by SMEs and tax professionals should reduce their charges for SMEs as a way of reducing their compliance costs.

Objective – The goal of this study is to assess several factors that influence tax avoidance and evasion in Nigeria, with a focus on Wukari, Taraba State. Particularly this study is aimed to ascertain the influence of corruption on individual tax avoidance and evasion in Nigeria, whether lack of transparency and accountability in public institutions influences individual tax avoidance and evasion in Nigeria, to examine the influence of tax system injustice on individual tax avoidance and evasion in Nigeria, and to evaluate the impact of tax system complexity on individual tax avoidance and evasion in Nigeria. Design/methodology – This study adopts a survey research design with a sample size of 308 questionnaires administered and 230 questionnaires were collected which represents 75% response rate. Descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation and percentages, inferential statistics like multiple regressions were used. Results – It was found that corruption, lack of transparency and accountability, tax system injustice and tax system complexity all have a substantial impact on tax avoidance and evasion in Nigeria. Urgent step should be taken by public office holders in particular and government representatives in general to live above board when it comes to transparency and accountability. In addition, there should be zero tolerance for corruption within and outside the tax system; anyone found guilty of corruption should be made to face the wrath of the law. Conclusively, Nigeria government should make deliberate efforts to ensure the nation’s financial statement is published depicting our revenue as well as expenditure incurred regularly (monthly basis, quarterly or annually). Limitation/Suggestion – This study concentrated on only four factors identified to have an influence on tax avoidance and evasion in Nigeria. It is also constrained to Wukari, Taraba State which is just one amongst the sixteen local governments in the State and as such may not be applicable to other local governments within and outside the State.

The study assessed the impact of e-tax administration on tax revenue in Ondo state internal revenue, Nigeria. The study employed survey research design using primary data sourced from the distribution of a well-structured questionnaire to the staff of the Ondo State Board of Internal Revenue (OSBIR). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; through frequency counts, mean scores; and Z-test to test the hypotheses formulated. The study revealed that electronic taxation has significant influence on tax evasion as demonstrated by the calculated Z-test score greater than the Z-table score of (1.96 < 6.44); similarly, it was also shown that electronic-taxation can prevent corrupt practices among some tax administrators as revealed by the Z-table score of (1.96 < 3.08). The study concluded that e-taxation can reduce tax evasion in Nigeria as well as truncate corrupt practices among tax officials in Nigeria. It was recommended that OSBIR embrace e-taxation with urgent deployment of robust Information Technology; and encourage regular training of staff and taxpayers sensitization to facilitate smooth running. This will engender a high level of compliance among taxpayers. Also, e-tax ought to be employed in order to ease the related glitches that swindling stakeholders’ interest.

The functioning of the tax system and taxation in one economy is of crucial importance to overall financial stability, and tax evasion is one of the major risks, if not addressed adequately, and, depending on the amount of taxes evaded, can trigger severe financial instability in a country. Today, many countries are faced with the problem of tax evasion and reports of tax evasion multiply by the day. No tax system is immune to tax evasion, the only difference is the methods of tax evasion in different tax systems. Many and diverse factors, both subjective and objective, affect tax evasion as they are intertwined and determined and mutually connected and complementary. Tax evasion has multiplicative effects, it destroys the reputation of institutions primarily and in particular the reputation of the tax administration, it poses a threat to the tax system and rule of law, causing taxpayers’ distrust of the tax system itself. Thus, by reducing tax evasion the situation in public finances improves substantially. Recognition of the existing key factors of tax evasion or research into the existence of others just as, if not more important factors, de facto confirms how complex, important and current this issue is.

Introduction: Tax corruption represents a critical issue that undermines economic stability and public trust, particularly when perpetrated by high-ranking officials. This study addresses the interaction between tax corruption and legal loopholes, highlighting how such gaps in the legal system facilitate criminal practices among powerful individuals.Purposes of the Research: The primary aim of this research is to explore how legal loopholes contribute to tax corruption and to examine the criminal practices of high-ranking officials involved in such activities. The study seeks to understand the systemic issues in tax administration and enforcement that allow these practices to flourish.Methods of the Research: The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative analysis through interviews with tax officials and legal experts, with quantitative analysis of case studies involving tax fraud and evasion by high-ranking officials. This methodology provides a comprehensive view of both the legal and practical aspects of tax corruption.Results of the Research: : The findings reveal that significant legal loopholes, coupled with inadequate enforcement mechanisms, create opportunities for high-ranking officials to engage in corrupt practices with minimal repercussions. These corrupt practices undermine public confidence in tax systems and result in considerable revenue losses for the state.Conclusions: The research concludes that addressing tax corruption requires comprehensive legal reforms to close existing loopholes and enhance enforcement capabilities. Strengthening transparency and accountability mechanisms, along with promoting greater public oversight, are essential to mitigating the effects of tax corruption and restoring integrity in tax administration.

The subject of the paper is the reform of the tax system and its impact on the business of taxpayers. The authors conducted an analysis to determine whether tax policy reform measures boost employment, stimulate the population to start their own businesses, and reduce the informal economy by reducing the amount and number of state and local levies. The research was done in the Republic of Serbia by the survey method. Statistical testing of the collected data was done with a software program developed for the purposes of this research in the SPSS software package. The data were processed by the statistical method of analysis of variance ANOVA and the Levene?s test on the homogeneity of variance was performed. In order to draw reliable conclusions, the research also includes official data on changes in value added tax and income tax, as well as changes in Pension and Disability Insurance Contributions, for the taxpayers of the Republic of Serbia, in the total amount and by its components. The hypothesis ?Reform measures of tax policy stimulate the population to start their own business and legal business, which leads to a decrease in unemployment and an increase in the budget? has been confirmed on the basis of this research. It can be concluded that tax policy reform measures stimulate the population to start a private business and legal business, which leads to a decrease in unemployment and to an increase in the budget. The existence of a fairly large volume of tax evasion produce consequences that can be serious for the economy of the Republic Serbia. Reform measures have significantly reduced tax evasion as well as contributed to the reduction of undeclared work and the increase of funds in the budget. Survey respondents confirmed that the stimulative tax policy strengthens private sector, and thereby reduce the gray economy and increase the funds in the budget. The full effect of the reform measures is expected after the complete transition of taxpayersto e-business, which would provide a complete insight into the state and opportunities of the public sector. We can conclude that incentives from the state in the form of tax exemptions and contributions for newly employed workers have given significant results in terms of starting enterprise and hiring new workers. Activities to detect and combat tax evasion and reform the tax system can only be effective if they are planned and based on scientific researches and advances.

Purpose: The main objective of this research paper is to look at Pakistan's legal, administrative, and judicial framework in terms of countering money laundering and tax evasion. Money laundering and tax evasion are two financial crimes that have been linked, either directly or indirectly, to one other. Money laundering was formerly solely associated with the crimes of narcotics trafficking and terrorism financing. At present, it has been also associated with tax evasion.&#x0D; Methodology: The framework regarding tax evasion and money laundering is varied. In Pakistan, two different mechanisms exist to combat both crimes. This article analytically studies the parliamentary statutes and ordinance, the working of investigating and prosecuting agencies and judicature structure concerning tax evasion and money laundering in Pakistan.&#x0D; Findings: This article concludes that the problem of tax evasion and money launder are causing financial instability in Pakistan. There is an urgent need of revamping the current tax administration to detect tax evasion and frauds.&#x0D; Implication: this article recommends potential reforms in the existing legal, administrative and judicial framework to control and curb both crimes more effectively.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is still at an early stage in development of functional economic and social environment. “How do tax evasion and tax policy effect on economic and social environment?” This is one of the key issues that requires full attention of fiscal policy and is also the hypothesis of this study. Is tax evasion in direct correlation with the economic welfare of a society, social environment and economic activity? The effort to shed light on these questions can help in the implementation of measures and activities on the prevention and suppression of tax evasion.In the focus of interests of this study are two groups of respondents, the taxpayers on one side who make contacts with professional groups on the other side employed in tax administrations (inspectors). For the purpose of analysing the collected data, the statistical package of SPSS was used. The contribution of this research and the main research result indicate that tax evasion has multiplicative effects, it destroys the reputation of institutions primarily and in particular the reputation of the tax administration, it poses a threat to the tax system and rule of law, causing taxpayer’s distrust of the tax system itself. Thus, by reducing tax evasion the situation in public finances improves substantially. The study shows the theoretical analysis of the phenomenon of tax evasion in BiH (which is not a goal in itself), including analysis of current tax procedures and tax policy of BiH and their influence on economic and social environment.

The work "Tax evasion between legality and crime" is structured in eight chapters, judiciously structured, in terms of information, but also in terms of dimensions, namely:&#x0D; Chapter I - "General notions of economic and financial crime";&#x0D; Chapter II - "Tax evasion. Theoretical approach";&#x0D; Chapter III - "Tax havens";&#x0D; Chapter IV - "Tax evasion in Romania";&#x0D; Chapter V - "Tax evasion and the European Union";&#x0D; Chapter VI- "National and European bodies with powers to detect and combat tax evasion";&#x0D; Chapter VII-"International tax evasion";&#x0D; Chapter VIII-"Tax evasion and economic growth".&#x0D; &#x0D; The way in which the legal and economic dimensions of the same unique phenomenon - tax evasion - are combined is such as to make this work unique.&#x0D; "Tax evasion between legality and crime" is addressed to students, master's students and legal practitioners alike, offering the opportunity for useful and enjoyable reading.